Importing and modifying a new mini excavator from China

[4570Man]

Thank you for your response. The Kx-040 is a monster compared to my little machine. As I read here, these chinese machines could have problems with descending on a slope without any extra load, since the motors drive the tracks directly.

Excavators in general don’t have very strong track drive motors. They have much smaller drive motors than what a skid steer or dozer of equal weight would have. I’ve never been around an excavator without planetary hubs but I’d say it’s a lot worse without them.

 

[dfkrug]

Excavators in general don’t have very strong track drive motors. They have much smaller drive motors than what a skid steer or dozer of equal weight would have. I’ve never been around an excavator without planetary hubs but I’d say it’s a lot worse without them.

Excavators are designed to drive pretty slowly, and it seems have much less engine power per unit of weight, vs. tracked skidsteers. Many tracked SS's feature engines with > 100hp.

Again, looking at the paradigm for 1-ton excavators, the Kubota K008 and Cat 300.9: they feature planetary final drives in the driven sprocket hubs, plus 2-speed pumps for the tracks. Their engines only have 10 hp, so the "fast" speed drive is so under-powered that they often can't even turn in "high" speed mode.

The Chinese units save a lot of cost by eliminating the planetary drives, but really need the wheel braking valves to fix the problem that direct drive causes. A separate track drive pump (2-speed or 1-speed) is another additional cost. They do drive VERY slowly in the current setup.

 

[dfkrug]

"Twenty-nine of these just sold at Richie Brothers in Dunnigan CA. Around 5000 + tax and fees."

With 10% buyer's commission and 9% CA sales/use tax, you are looking at about $6000 total. Good price. Some have swing booms, some have mech thumb, all have Briggs 420 gas engine. None seem to have upgraded electrical from the diesel engine to gas. I can tell cuz they still have the red tee-handle cutoff switch to protect the hour meter and battery.

Interesting that the SOLD prices are all either $4750 or $5K. RB has no secret reserves, so that's good (unlike the other Sacramento equipment auction).

 

[Jon3379]

I have been searching for a Chinese brand that has machines with both rops and fops certification. Has anyone found one?

 

[dfkrug]

I have been searching for a Chinese brand that has machines with both rops and fops certification. Has anyone found one?

Have you checked out Sany? Sold all over the US, if that is where you are located.

 

[Jon3379]

Yes I am in the US and Sany machines definitely have certified cabs, but at a much higher price point then the typical Chinese machine.

 

[dfkrug]

None of the Chinese makers except Sany seem to have support networks in the US. That means you have to find or have your own technical support and parts source. You CAN buy parts directly from China, but paying may be difficult if you are based in the US.

Maybe more Chinese factories will start selling their parts on Alibaba or AliExpress and accepting US credit cards.

Safety certifications, such as ROPS labeling may be another issue. There may also be other OSHA safety concerns, such as boom lockouts, which are pretty much non-existent.

 

[Jon3379]

Thanks for the info...we are pretty hands on from a service standpoint...just having trouble getting my head around how to make these machines safe to use

 

[ArlyA]

Thanks for the info...we are pretty hands on from a service standpoint...just having trouble getting my head around how to make these machines safe to use

I agree. Machines with all there shields, seat belts and roll bars are good.

 

[BigBlue1]

Thanks for the info...we are pretty hands on from a service standpoint...just having trouble getting my head around how to make these machines safe to use

There's obviously a huge market for those lower cost units with fewer safety features. They must be 'safe' enough for a lot of people.

I guess you're finding why there is a price difference between the China models and the US models... Those features cost money.

 

[dfkrug]

Safety devices like boom locks are not expensive. Our tractors use simple mechanical locks to keep the loader booms from falling when the tractor is off. Backhoe attachments rarely have that. They are not automatic.

Local importer Jason has specified a solenoid lockout for the servo-controlled units he has purchased from HeChuang. Servo (pilot-operated) units are not common below about 2 tons, however.

The biggest cost increaser for the small name-brand units is the 3-cyl diesel engine, which is really not necessary. The gasoline engines work fine, and knock $3K or more off the list price.

 

[ncclark]

Thank you for all the information. I am looking at purchasing a unit at a local auction but it only has the bucket attachment. What are the sources for additional attachments?

 

[TimberFarm]

I read this entire thread yesterday.
It reminded me of the big push of Chinese Jinma tractors from late '90's and mid 2000's.
I imported my own Jinma 354LE back in 2005. 35HP, 4wd, also front end loader, back hoe, 3pt wood chipper, and for good measure a 20" chainsaw and also a gas pole saw.
Everything shipped, customs cleared, taxes for $10,000.

I hired a customs broker who took care of everything for me once the crate arrived. Once it got the all clear from customs they just told me to go to this warehouse in Philly and pick it up. Easy as pie.

The Jinma was a hydraulic nightmare. I ended up putting a new Prince loader valve on it. The backhoe never worked properly and I ended up selling it.

I discovered these mini excavators by accident when looking on CraigsList for 2 post lifts. As most know when you search for a 2 post lift or anything on CraigsList you get spam ads for everything else under the sun along with what you are actually looking for. That was when I saw all these ads pop up for these excavators. It reminded me of the Jinma's where everybody and their brother decided they were going to make a killing importing them under all different kinds of names.

My question is who on here has bought what and how has it actually held up in the real world of digging?
OP, has very nice write up and documentation and a big thumbs up for that time and attention to detail.
However that original unit would not have worked out for me and my needs. But now, the Chinese seem to be really getting their act together with these and putting real world upgrades in the newest machines.

 

[dfkrug]

What are the sources for additional attachments?

Well, you can buy them directly from China using Alibaba or AliExpress or MadeInChina.com. Or you can buy them from a local person who bought a whole container with lots of implements. If you keep the mini-X size under 2T or so, implements will probably all fit all of the machines. They use 25mm pins.

 

[Dragnet]

Anyone know where I can get a ripper attachment in the U.S. for a mini 1 ton?

 

[dfkrug]

I sold my one spare ripper right away. I am surprised that more people importing the minis don't get the ripper. It works great and is quite inexpensive. Consider importing it directly if you can not find one domestically.

 

[Dragnet]

Would anyone be willing to take pictures with a measuring tape so a ripper can be duplicated?

 

[dfkrug]

Would anyone be willing to take pictures with a measuring tape so a ripper can be duplicated?

Just match the pin spacings you already have with your bucket. The length of the ripper is not critical, so just match the length (pin-to-tip-of tooth) of
your bucket.

 

[TimberFarm]

Seems if you go online to machinery trader or some such site you will see ads for all the different mini-excavators and dealers and one of them will have the ripper in stock.

 

[Dragnet]

Just match the pin spacings you already have with your bucket. The length of the ripper is not critical, so just match the length (pin-to-tip-of tooth) of
your bucket.W

What is thickness of the stock used?